SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to India’s naval self-reliance, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched a mission mode project titled “Indigenous Development of Signal Flares (Green & Red) and Anti-Sonar Device (ASD) for Kalvari-Class Submarines” for the Indian Navy. This initiative aims to equip the Navy’s cutting-edge Kalvari-class (Scorpène-class) diesel-electric submarines with homegrown countermeasures and signaling systems, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enhancing operational autonomy.
The project’s scope encompasses the full spectrum of development, qualification, and delivery of naval signal flares—both green and red—and an anti-sonar device (ASD) tailored to the stealth and tactical needs of the Kalvari-class fleet. These submarines, built under Project-75 by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with France’s Naval Group, form the backbone of India’s underwater warfare capabilities. With six boats planned—INS Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, and the yet-to-be-commissioned Vagsheer—this initiative ensures that their defensive and operational systems align with the “Make in India” vision.
The DRDO’s mandate includes delivering 60 units each of green and red signal flares following rigorous qualification testing of 40 units per type. These flares, critical for underwater communication and distress signaling, will undergo a meticulous development process involving composition preparation, chemical analysis, and performance validation. Green and red flares serve distinct purposes—green typically indicates safety or operational status, while red signals distress or emergency—enhancing the submarines’ ability to coordinate with surface assets or allied forces during missions.
Parallel to the flare development, the anti-sonar device (ASD) represents a leap in countermeasure technology. Designed to thwart enemy sonar detection, the ASD will emit acoustic signals to confuse or mask the submarine’s signature, bolstering its stealth profile—a vital attribute for the Kalvari-class in contested waters like the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The project scope also includes dynamic trials and life assessment activities to ensure the flares and ASD meet the Navy’s stringent durability and performance standards under real-world conditions.
The project’s mission mode status underscores its urgency and strategic importance. With 40 units of each flare type dedicated to qualification—subjected to environmental, pressure, and functional tests—the remaining 60 units per type will be delivered post-certification for operational use. Dynamic trials, conducted in simulated or live underwater scenarios, will validate the systems’ performance during submarine maneuvers, while life assessment will determine their operational lifespan, ensuring reliability over extended deployments.
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